Catherine Owens

Thinking About Buying Your First Home?

July 20, 2015

Are you thinking about finally buying your first home?You don’t have to make tons of money—or even have a lot of savings—to buy a home today.In fact, there are many home loan programs out there, some specifically for first-time buyers.

Even if you’re just thinking about buying a home, now’s the time to talk to a real estate agent.They’re here to educate you on what steps to take, what financial preparation you’ll need, and how the whole process works—at no charge to you.

A good agent can help you step-by-step throughout the entire buying process—as well as find the right home later, and negotiate the deal. Ask your real estate agent to help you:

Review home-buying programs for first-time home buyers.

There are lots of great home-buying programs out there now, especially for first-time home buyers.Your agent should be knowledgeable about current opportunities, and be able to make a recommendation for you to discuss with your mortgage lender.

Recommend a lending institution for a pre-approval.

Don’t be afraid to compare rates. A little research now can save you a lot of money in the long run. Ask your realtor for recommendations on a few good lending institutions—for example, ReeceNichols partners with HomeServices Lending, which provides a totally personalized lending experience for the families we work with. Be sure to ask each lender for quotes and a pre-approval letter.

Decide on what your family needs in a house.

Your agent can help you decide on the type of home that’s right for you. How many bedrooms? Do you need a big yard, or attached garage? After discussing your needs, come up with a list of the top 10 most important things in a new home, and give it to your realtor.

Find a good neighborhood.

Start thinking now about where you’d like to live. This will help narrow your search. If you’re moving to a new town, your realtor should be able to take you on a tour, and recommend locations based on your family’s needs.

Start shopping.

Ready to look at new homes? Your agent can schedule a list of showings for you in advance—to make the best use of your busy schedule. Check out ReeceNichols’ Home Search App, which is updated every 15 minutes with new properties in the Kansas City metro area.

When you’re ready to buy your first home, you’ll need a good real estate agent to guide you through the process. We’re ready to help.Contact us today.